Medline Launches SilvaSorb Gel, the First Controlled Release, Antimicrobial Silver Hydrogel

MUNDELEIN, Ill. -- Medline Industries, Inc. recently launched the first controlled-release antimicrobial silver hydrogel to reduce infectious bacteria and help promote wound healing.

SilvaSorb Gel is the first product that combines a hydrogel's ability to maintain a moist wound-healing environment with the benefits of sustained release antimicrobial silver for helping heal chronic wounds and reducing infection. SilvaSorb Gel is another novel product developed for Medline by AcryMed, Inc.

SilvaSorb Gel is an amorphous gel that is easy to spread and is completely biocompatible. It's non-irritating, non-sensitizing and will not harm new granulation tissue.

Similar to the other SilvaSorb wound dressings, the SilvaSorb's Gel's unique architecture features MicroLattice technology, continuously releasing ionic silver for up to three days. Released in extremely small amounts, the ionic silver in SilvaSorb Gel does not damage tissue. Yet it is an extremely effective and fast acting antimicrobial against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.

"SilvaSorb Gel helps reduce the infectious bacteria in a wound and at the same time, helps to maintain the right level of moisture for an optimal wound healing environment," said Jonathan Primer, president of Medline's Dermal Management Division. "To heal efficiently, chronic wounds require fluid management and bioburden reduction without destroying healthy tissue -- SilvaSorb Gel accomplishes all of this."

As an effective barrier to a broad spectrum of microorganisms, SilvaSorb may help reduce infection by inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, VRE and other clinically significant microorganisms.

In addition to SilvaSorb Gel, SilvaSorb comes in a variety of formats for optimal use in the management of a range of wound types such as pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, leg ulcers, skin tears, first and second degree burns, grafted wounds and donor sites, surgical wounds, lacerations and abrasions.

This new SilvaSorb Gel is available initially in a 1.5 fluid ounce tube that allows for multiple applications for a single patient. SilvaSorb also is available in sheets for flat wounds with no to moderate exudate, SilvaSorb Perforated Sheets for flat wounds with moderate to heavy exudate and SilvaSorb Cavity for cavity wounds with all exudate levels.

Silver has long been known as a potent antimicrobial agent. Silver nitrate and silver sulfadiazine are well known agents commonly used to control bioburden in the wounds of burn patients. Although recognized for its antimicrobial properties and low toxicity, silver previously has had two inherent concerns: it can stain tissues and confuse wound assessment, and it has a short half-life of activity which necessitates frequent applications to maintain an effective barrier to microorganisms. SilvaSorb Gel contains silver in a stabilized reservoir that is activated to release ionic silver on contact with the wound. Ionic silver is substantially more active than metallic silver. The release mechanism used by SilvaSorb renders an effective non-toxic level of silver in the wound bed without causing discoloration or staining of the application site.

Source: Medline Industries, Inc.